Narooma Bridge has claimed another victim, when a demountable house being transported south on the Princes Highway suffered significant damage after becoming wedged in the roof pilings around 9.30am on Monday.

Batemans Bay bridge improvements were promised in the last state election, but many Narooma locals believe our bridge and its northern access needs a bit of work too. Among these is Sylvia Gauslaa who last month wrote to State Member and Transport Minister Andrew Constance raising the issue.

“I find it absolutely incomprehensible that you should contemplate a second bridge at Batemans Bay before something is done on the northern approach, including Centenary Drive, to Narooma Bridge,” she wrote. “I think it would be a great idea if you went for a drive in a semi and a bus over the bridge to see what they have to deal with. It might also be an idea for you to have a trip with one of the oversize trucks that carry houses etc. over the bridge and through the town. Another bridge that should be considered way before Batemans Bay is Dignams Creek. What is happening to with this? It is way more dangerous than the Bay!”

Mr Constance through his Bega office replied that the northern approach to Narooma Bridge was currently being looked at by Roads and Maritime Services, as was the entry to Centenary Drive. But the Narooma News has since been informed by his office that “at this time RMS have no works planned for this bridge”.

In relation to the Batemans Bay bridge, the News was informed that RMS are currently investigating options. Preliminary investigations have included the identification of environmental constraints, survey work, traffic counts and inspections of the existing bridge.

The good news for the Dignams Creek bridge is that the NSW Government has allocated $15 million in 2016/17 to start work on Dignams Creek upgrade, which is currently inviting tenders for construction until Wednesday, October 5. Minor refinements to the design had been made, mostly due to better cost, environmental and safety outcomes, Mr Constance’s office said.